Where are you from?
I am from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
What was your undergraduate major, and from which university did you graduate?
I have graduated from The National University of Mongolia, my undergraduate major was American Studies.
What are some causes/ issues you care about? Why?
I am deeply concerned about gender equality issues because it affects every woman I know and myself, more or less. I believe that women should be given a freedom of choice, an encouragement to think outside the box, a chance to see their opportunities and attempts to challenge their potentials, at the same level as men. I often see how girls and women are being neglected, underestimated, and discouraged. They are stopped from pursuing dreams and I cannot imagine how many talents or gifted minds we lose due to unreasonable stereotypes within society. I want to inspire not only women but also men to be the best possible versions of themselves, to respect each individual and to see positive effects of equality.
What work/intern/volunteer experience do you have and how has it prepared you for your studies?
During my undergraduate studies, I worked as a hostess/server at a restaurant. It taught me effective ways to communicate with different types of people and the importance of teamwork to fulfill work duties. Also, as I worked to pay my tuition fees, I have become more responsible and independent. I feel confident that I am prepared to study and live abroad on my own thanks to this experience.
What aspects of Mason made you choose to study here?
Mason has a great reputation. I have heard a lot of positive feedback from people and decided to visit the campus, which affected my decision to apply to Mason. I got a chance to experience the atmosphere of the campus and met students and staff, who were very friendly and welcoming. A diverse student body is a great side of Mason because I am eager to meet different people and learn about other cultures. Also, I have carefully gone through the website to become more familiar with the university and realized that it would be the right place for me to pursue a graduate degree.
What do you hope to accomplish while at Mason?
The most important thing is, of course, to succeed in my studies. I hope to become a valuable student and make positive contributions to the university. In addition to that, I am expecting to grow not only in academic terms but also hope to learn more about life itself, find the right path and become a better person from day to day.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are singing and songwriting. At Mason, I hope to get a chance to expose my talents besides my studies.
What are you most looking forward to while living in the DC area?
I love that the DC area has so much to offer in terms of museums, galleries and historical places. And I love the variety of food!
What is your favorite thing about being a student?
My favorite thing about being a student is the opportunity to study and collaborate with like-minded people. I think exchanging opinions, ideas, team working can positively contribute to self-development, growth as a professional and bring a motivation.
Which languages do you speak?
I am fluent in Mongolian, English, Russian and beginner in the German language.
What was the last book you read? Do you recommend it? (Why/why not)
The last book I read was An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. I would recommend it because it shows the importance of choosing the right values in life. Wealth, physical beauty, entertainment are superficial values, even though they can be extremely luring, it will eventually destroy a person’s soul. I do think that a sudden taste of a wealth to someone who had nothing before can be toxic that it will seem to be the only thing that truly matters in the world. My favorite quote is “What matter it if a man gaineth the whole world and loseth his own soul?”